New research shows that incidents of Bowel Cancers are on the rise amongst under-50s in the UK.
This comes out of data from a ten year period from 2004 to 2014, the latest data available.
The new information has raised calls from researchers for the age of screening to be lowered by the government.
Responding to the findings of the study published in Lancet, Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “More research is needed to help us fully understand the reasons behind this increasing trend.
“In 2018, both England and Wales committed to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50, in line with Scotland. It’s crucial that Northern Ireland also reassess their screening age.
“Screening is the best way to diagnose bowel cancer early when it is treatable and curable. Lowering this age will help to transform survival rates for bowel cancer.”
Another study, of 20 to 29 year olds, found that between 1990 and 2016, incidents of Bowel Cancers rose from 0.8 cases per 100 people to 2.3.
They found a particularly sharp rise in the period after 2004.
The average rise in cases a year during this period reached 7.9%.
The authors of the study have suggested lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking were likely to be behind the trend.
Dr Andrew Beggs, consultant colorectal surgeon and Cancer Research UK advanced clinician scientist at the University of Birmingham, said:
“This means the age at which bowel cancer screening needs to start may have to change to screen people at a younger age, and people under the age of 50 with any ‘red flag’ symptoms – bleeding, a change in bowel habit, weight loss or tummy pain – should get it checked out as soon as possible.”
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HeadlineRisk of Bowel Cancer rising for Under 50’s
Short HeadlineBowel Cancer risk rising for Under 50's
StandfirstResearchers are calling for the government to lower the age at which adults can be screened for Bowel Cancer
New research shows that incidents of Bowel Cancers are on the rise amongst under-50s in the UK.
This comes out of data from a ten year period from 2004 to 2014, the latest data available.
The new information has raised calls from researchers for the age of screening to be lowered by the government.
Responding to the findings of the study published in Lancet, Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “More research is needed to help us fully understand the reasons behind this increasing trend.
“In 2018, both England and Wales committed to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50, in line with Scotland. It’s crucial that Northern Ireland also reassess their screening age.
“Screening is the best way to diagnose bowel cancer early when it is treatable and curable. Lowering this age will help to transform survival rates for bowel cancer.”
Another study, of 20 to 29 year olds, found that between 1990 and 2016, incidents of Bowel Cancers rose from 0.8 cases per 100 people to 2.3.
They found a particularly sharp rise in the period after 2004.
The average rise in cases a year during this period reached 7.9%.
The authors of the study have suggested lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking were likely to be behind the trend.
Dr Andrew Beggs, consultant colorectal surgeon and Cancer Research UK advanced clinician scientist at the University of Birmingham, said:
“This means the age at which bowel cancer screening needs to start may have to change to screen people at a younger age, and people under the age of 50 with any ‘red flag’ symptoms – bleeding, a change in bowel habit, weight loss or tummy pain – should get it checked out as soon as possible.”
